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43-477: Goldendale Observatory State Park is an educational facility on the northern side of Goldendale , Washington , notable for its unusually large public telescope. The state park occupies five acres (2.0 ha) atop a 2,100-foot (640 m) hill. Access is via a winding paved road through an oak forest. The site includes a small picnic area, interpretive center, amphitheater, and the observatory. There are several telescopes on-site, including portable Dobsonians,

86-483: A solar eclipse which occurred on February 26, 1979, six years after the observatory opened. Approximately 15,000 people came to the town of Goldendale on that date to observe the total eclipse. The Observatory, its lands, and its debt were acquired by the state government in 1980, after being operated by the Goldendale Observatory Corporation since its dedication. The park received its designation as

129-477: A "state park heritage site" in 2014. Beginning in 2013, a multi-phase facility improvement project began at Goldendale Observatory using $ 6 million in funding allocated from the state government. Due to a state budget freeze the project was not funded until a new budget was passed in February 2018. Demolition of the old building took place that October, removing all structures except the south dome building housing

172-464: A 24.5-inch (620 mm) Cassegrain reflecting telescope for Clark College in Vancouver, Washington , which paid for the materials to make the telescope. At the time, this instrument was one of the largest amateur-built telescopes in the world. However, once built, the college sought a clearer, darker area to install the telescope due to light pollution from Vancouver and nearby Portland, Oregon, and

215-635: A contemporary architectural construction by Portland-based firm Allied Works Architecture, and the Maryhill Stonehenge , a life-size cement replica of the original Stonehenge, situated ten minutes south of Goldendale. The replica, completed in 1930, is a memorial of those who died in World War I. In downtown Goldendale, the Presby Mansion, now the Presby Museum, is also a tourist attraction featuring

258-702: A dark-sky preserve is based on the sensitivity of wildlife to artificial light at night. Canada has established an extensive and stringent standard for dark-sky preserves, that addresses lighting within dark-sky preserves and influences from skyglow from urban areas in the region. This was based on the work of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada . DarkSky International's Dark Sky Places program currently offers five types of designations: Dark Sky Developments of Distinction recognize subdivisions, master planned communities, and unincorporated neighborhoods and townships whose planning actively promotes

301-602: A lovely touch of golden rust red to Observatory Hill on the north side of town. As of the 2010 census , there were 3,407 people, 1,462 households, and 858 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,352.0 inhabitants per square mile (522.0/km ). There were 1,635 housing units at an average density of 648.8 per square mile (250.5/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 88.3% White , 0.4% African American , 4.1% Native American , 0.5% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 4.1% from other races , and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of

344-543: A month later due to the COVID-19 pandemic . On April 7, 2022, Goldendale Observatory celebrated a grand reopening ceremony. The new design has three times the space, upgraded facilities, and a much larger parking area. Public visitation is available every weekend, by appointment only. In 2010, the Goldendale Observatory State Park, with the support of Steven Stout who directed the observatory for 32 years and

387-828: A more natural night sky but does not qualify them for the International Dark Sky Community designation. This designation was retired in 2020. Further designations include "Dark Sky Nation", given to the Kaibab Indian Reservation , and "Parashant International Night Sky Province-Window to the Cosmos", given to Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument . As of January 2023, there are 201 certified Dark Sky Places globally: 38 Communities, 115 Parks, 20 Reserves, 16 Sanctuaries, 6 Developments of Distinction and 6 Urban Night Sky Places. Walnut Canyon National Monument / Wupatki National Monument Some regions, like

430-652: A newly restored 1898 Russel Steam Tractor and housing the Klickitat County Historical Society. The town has a weekly newspaper , the Goldendale Sentinel , which is published on Wednesdays and has a readership of approximately 3,200 subscribers across Klickitat County. It was established in 1879 as the Klickitat Sentinel and absorbed several rival newspapers in Goldendale and the county by

473-576: A permanently mounted Hydrogen-Alpha solar telescope, and the primary instrument; a 24.5-inch reflector which is housed in the South Dome. The facility receives 30-40,000 visitors annually. In 2022, the Observatory reopened after a lengthy renovation process. The main 24-inch telescope is the reason for the existence of Goldendale Observatory and was the work of four amateur astronomers — M.W. McConnell, John Marshall, Don Conner and O.W. VanderVelden — who built

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516-478: A site. In the spring of 2017 the reconstruction of the observatory, with new lighting and signs, was expected to be completed by the fall of 2017 and dark sky status restored. Goldendale, Washington Goldendale is a city and county seat of Klickitat County , Washington , United States, near the Columbia River Gorge . The population within city limits was 3,760 at the 2000 census and 3,407 at

559-523: Is capped at the source for that purpose. U.S. Route 97 runs along the eastern boundary of the city and connects Goldendale with Interstate 84 , 21 km (13 mi) south in the state of Oregon and State Route 14 , which is 19 km (12 mi) south and runs along the Washington side of the Columbia River. State Route 142 creates a major east–west route through Goldendale, beginning at US 97 on

602-639: The 2010 census , a 9.4% decrease. It is situated in a primarily agricultural area and is also near Goldendale Observatory State Park . The valley in which Goldendale is located offers views of the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Simcoe Mountains to the north. In 1859 the town was given its name by the early homesteader John Golden, a Pennsylvania-born farmer who settled with his wife from Oregon. His daughter's home at Columbus Street and Collins Street remains standing in downtown Goldendale. The town

645-487: The John Day Dam in 1968. The industrial development and resulting jobs brought an era of growth and prosperity to Goldendale for 35 years, which brought the area new levels of prosperity from the high paying industrial jobs with significant benefits. This plant added payroll strength and diversity of the timber- and agricultural-based Goldendale area economy. Many area residents still enjoy pension and healthcare benefits from

688-561: The 24-inch telescope. In 2019, a spokesman for Washington State Parks said they had worked with the IDA on the lighting plan for the renovated observatory and, working with the local community, planned to apply for dark sky status when the new observatory was completed. However, due to conflicts between IDA requirements and Washington State Parks policies, there are no plans to apply for any current IDA Dark Sky Place certifications. The upgraded observatory opened on February 28, 2020, but closed less than

731-453: The 35 years of the industrial operations. The aluminum facility with 3 shifts of employment at its peak in the '70s and '80s was employing about 1,400–1,800 people and about 800 in the years from 1990 to 2003. The facility had been awarded a large allotment of low cost power from the hydro electric dam system that was nearby, with the assumption this would encourage industrial development and create jobs and resulting economic development. In 2003,

774-774: The Klickitat County Fair & Rodeo, the Goldendale Community Days, held on the Goldendale Courthouse lawn, and holiday parades. Goldendale celebrated its fourth annual Pride celebration in 2023, led by the Goldendale Pride Alliance, a charitable foundation established by Andrew Halm. Goldendale's tourist attractions include the Goldendale Observatory, the nearby Maryhill Museum with a collection of 87 works by Auguste Rodin &

817-475: The aluminum smelter closed operations. Reasons cited were high electricity costs and low world prices for aluminum. Many of the workers moved while others remained while they went back to school and retrained for other occupations. The closing of the aluminum plant caused serious economic stress in the area. At this time Rabanco Regional Disposal is the largest single employer of residents in the Goldendale area. Goldendale has many annual civic activities including

860-633: The area, but have seen some hard times over the years, an incidental effect to the modernization of farms and the ease of transporting products to ports on the Oregon Coast. A closed aluminum processing plant had a big economic impact for 35 years and continues to impact the area as pensioners still draw benefits from the decades of operations. The John Day area aluminum reduction plant was built by Harvey Aluminum (later Martin Marietta , forerunner to conglomerate Lockheed Martin ) at an industrial site adjacent to

903-403: The average family size was 3.02. In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males. The median income for a household in the city

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946-424: The city. The population density was 1,592.6 people per square mile (615.1/km ). There were 1,690 housing units at an average density of 715.8 per square mile (276.5/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 87.42% White , 0.21% African American , 4.63% Native American , 0.72% Asian , 0.27% Pacific Islander , 4.07% from other races , and 2.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.85% of

989-605: The economic solution for which many residents hoped. Goldendale is located at 45°49′N 120°49′W  /  45.817°N 120.817°W  / 45.817; -120.817 (45.821, -120.821). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 2.52 square miles (6.53 km ), all of it land. Goldendale's elevation at the County Courthouse is 498 meters (1,634 feet). The Little Klickitat River flows roughly east-to-west across

1032-517: The following, are protected without any reference to an observatory or a park. In the Canadian program, lighting within the area must be strictly controlled to minimize the impact of artificial lighting on wildlife. These guidelines are more stringent than in other countries that lack the extensive wilderness areas that still exist in Canada. The management of a Canadian DSP extends their outreach programs from

1075-575: The ground in any appreciable amount. Lightning-caused range and forest fires are a common occurrence during this time of year. Spring flowers and green meadows and prairies make Goldendale a particularly beautiful site. Spring and summer can be very blustery since the Chinook winds off the Pacific Ocean are funneled through the Columbia Gorge. Fall tends to be almost windless, and the autumnal oak leaves add

1118-500: The intent of the founders and community college was for Goldendale Observatory to serve primarily as a center of public science education. The Observatory was built over a period of several months and dedicated on October 13, 1973. The south observatory dome has a diameter of 20 feet (6.1 m), and the north dome a diameter of 10 feet (3.0 m). The observatory served as the Astronomical League's official headquarters during

1161-549: The mid-1910s. The newspaper remains locally owned by its publisher. Dark sky preserve DarkSky International was founded in 1988 to reserve public or private land for an exquisite outlook of nocturnal territories and starry night skies. Dark-sky preserves are specifically conserved for their cultural, scientific, natural, or educational value and public enjoyment. In 2007, the Mont Mégantic Observatory in Quebec

1204-618: The more sheltered areas consist of ponderosa pine and oak savannahs. Overcast days are rare, occurring mostly in late fall and throughout winter. Summer temperatures can reach well over 100 °F or 37.8 °C, while winter, when most of the annual precipitation of around 17 inches or 430 millimetres occurs, can see temperatures below 0 °F or −17.8 °C, particularly in January. Summer thunderstorms occur intermittently, particularly in July and August, but due to high cloud bases, rain seldom reaches

1247-554: The non-profit Friends of Goldendale Observatory, became the sixth International Dark Sky Park in the world. It was also the second state park in the United States to receive this designation by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) . In late 2016, the IDA suspended the park for lack of compliance with their requirements. The IDA removed the dark-sky designation in 2017, the only time they have decertified

1290-457: The north end of town. Goldendale has a continental Mediterranean climate ( Köppen Dsb ). The rain shadow of the Cascades creates distinct and visible difference between the arid and dry areas south of the community, and the more lush treed areas to the north. This produces a landscape of open bunch-grass prairies dotted with sagebrush and rabbit brush containing the occasional juniper tree, while

1333-458: The northern portion of the city. Bloodgood Creek, an entirely spring-fed year-round water source, runs through the northwest part of town and intersects with the Little Klickitat just west of the city. Both are sources of rainbow trout as well as being home to waterfowl such as the great blue heron and several species of duck. Bloodgood Creek provides a portion of Goldendale's drinking water and

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1376-473: The observation was to photograph the Sun's corona and the apparent distorted placement of stars due to the Sun's gravitational pull on those star's rays while passing by the Sun. Lacking proper equipment and instead only using multiple cameras Campbell and Curtis were unable to confirm stars' deflection. However, by November 1919, their efforts would be vindicated by British astronomers and Einstein's Theory of Relativity

1419-442: The population. There were 1,462 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.3% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

1462-409: The population. There were 1,515 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and

1505-553: The public that visit the site to include the promotion of better lighting policies in surrounding urban areas. Currently, dark-sky preserves have more control over internal and external lighting than other programs. With the increase in regional light pollution , some observatories have actively worked with cities in their region to establish protection zones where there is controlled light pollution. These areas may not yet have been declared dark-sky preserves. Although dark-sky preserve designations are generally sought by astronomers, it

1548-556: The telescope. A local, non-profit organization was created to plan and support the observatory which was ultimately constructed one mile (1.6 km) north of the town center using donations, loans, and a $ 135,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration . The Observatory design was based on the University of Washington's Manastash Ridge Observatory built west of Ellensburg in 1972. Unlike that facility,

1591-481: The typically wet and cloudy weather on the windward side of the Cascade Mountain Range . While traveling through Goldendale, Washington, the telescope builders met a local diner owner and city council member who suggested they donate the telescope to the town. An agreement was made and the telescope was donated by the college to Goldendale on the condition that the community would build an observatory to house

1634-564: The valley and, as the county seat, is the location for Klickitat County's courts and government offices. In recent years this small community has suffered from severe economic decline. After a local aluminum plant that once employed many residents closed, the small community struggled economically. The loss of tax base has taken its toll on the funds available for maintaining the city's infrastructure. In recent years there has been an interest in installing wind turbines that would generate power. While it has provided some jobs, this industry has not been

1677-508: Was $ 26,030, and the median income for a family was $ 33,866. Males had a median income of $ 36,977 versus $ 22,289 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,111. About 21.9% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 30.5% of those under age 18 and 26.3% of those age 65 or over. A lumber mill and logging used to be major industries in the area but have since ceased to exist. Timber cutting, ranching, farming, agriculture are still key industries in

1720-431: Was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.7% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 3,760 people, 1,515 households, and 963 families residing in

1763-555: Was confirmed. Goldendale was also under the path of totality for another total eclipse on February 26, 1979, which drew thousands of visitors to the Goldendale Observatory . In 2008 Goldendale hosted the International Gravity Sports Association's 'Festival of Speed,' on a segment of the historic Maryhill highway. Goldendale has remained the employment, business, commercial and banking center for

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1806-479: Was designated as the county seat of Klickitat County in 1878. Goldendale was officially incorporated on November 14, 1879. Much of the young town, including the county courthouse, was destroyed in a devastating fire on May 13, 1888. On June 9, 1918, William Wallace Campbell , director of the Lick Observatory , and astronomer Heber Curtis journeyed to Goldendale to view a total solar eclipse . The purpose of

1849-568: Was the first site to be certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve by DarkSky. The same year, Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah became the first International Dark Sky Park. The Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary in the Elqui Valley of Chile was designated as the world's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2015. A dark-sky preserve, or dark-sky reserve, should be sufficiently dark to promote astronomy . The lighting protocol for

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